The 3^rd annual Eden Drama Festival Finale took place at the Oudtshoorn Town Auditorium on Saturday 29 November 2014. This year’s event focused on the national “20 Years of Democracy” theme.

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the Oudtshoorn Municipality hosted the event in conjunction with the Absa Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK), Knysna Municipality, Hessequa Municipality, George Arts Theatre, Lunchbox Theatre and the Kairos Drama Group.

The overall winner was the New Age Productions drama group from George, with Heidelberg’s Hessequa HLC Drama Group as 1^st runner-up. Both companies will perform at the ABSA KKNK next year.

The rest of the winners were:

• Best Supporting Actress: Delicia September – Hessequa HLC Drama Group (Heidelberg);
• Best Supporting Actor: Patrick van Wyk – Hessequa HLC Drama Group;
• Best Scriptwriter: Samuel Jumat – New Age Productions (George);
• Best Director: Marlin Davids and Patrick van Wyk – Hessequa HLC Drama Group;
• Best Ensemble: Hessequa HLC Drama Group;
• Best Actress: Sonwabise Mbalo – Knysna Committed Artists (Knysna);
• Best Actor: Samuel Jumat – New Age Productions; and
• 2^nd Runner Up: Beat Drama Group (Oudtshoorn).

“Seeing the youth grow over this short period of time, in both their creativity and maturity, showed the impact this programme has had in their lives and how grateful they are that DCAS is investing in their talent,” said Project Manager Moeniel Jacobs.

DCAS will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders to develop the next generation of theatre stars. By identifying emerging talent, and then actively nurturing it, the Department is enabling the performing arts of the province to flourish, better together.